IPC Section 120
📖 IPC Section 120 – Concealing design to commit an offence punishable with imprisonment
This section deals with situations where a person knows about a planned offence and intentionally conceals it, or fails to take steps to prevent it. It applies even if the person is not the main offender but is aware of the plan.
⚖️ Key Points:
Concealing knowledge of a crime –
If a person knows that a crime is about to be committed and hides that information, or fails to notify authorities, Section 120 can be invoked.
What counts as concealment?
Intentionally keeping the information secret.
Not informing authorities or taking steps to prevent the crime when it is your duty to do so.
Punishment –
If the offence that was concealed is punishable with life imprisonment or more, the person hiding it may face:
Up to 6 months imprisonment, or
Fine, or
Both.
If the offence is punishable with less than 10 years, the punishment may be:
Up to 3 years imprisonment, or
Fine, or
Both.
📌 Simplified Explanation:
Section 120 does not punish the main offender; it punishes someone who conceals knowledge of a planned crime.
The focus is on knowledge + concealment, not active participation in the crime.
✅ Examples:
Theft plan – Ram knows Shyam is planning a theft but does not inform anyone. If the theft happens, Ram could be liable under Section 120.
Murder conspiracy – Someone knows that a murder is being planned, and the murder is punishable with life imprisonment. If the person hides this information, they could face up to 6 months in jail.
Lesser crime – If the offence is minor (punishable with less than 10 years), concealing it could lead to a maximum of 3 years imprisonment.
⚠️ Important Note:
Section 120 is different from Sections 120A and 120B:
120A – Definition of criminal conspiracy.
120B – Punishment for criminal conspiracy.
120 – Concealing the design of a crime, i.e., hiding knowledge of an offence.
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